THE family of a Maesteg man who was paralysed following a horrific holiday accident in Turkey have thanked the community for their support in bringing him home.

Steelworker Michael Lonergan, 30, broke his neck after diving into the sea while on a family holiday at the Didim Beach Resort in Altinkum.

The father-of-two – who lives on Bethania Street with his partner Debbie Turner, 27, and their two children Jack, five, and 18-month old Grace – was left stranded in a Turkish hospital when his travel insurance company refused to pay for his treatment and flights home.

Insurance underwriter ETI Travel Protection said one of their travel policy exclusions is wilful exposure to needless risk in any circumstances, except while in the act of saving or attempting to save a human life.

But thanks to community-minded friends, family, colleagues and strangers, enough money was raised to pay for Michael’s treatment and flight home.

Michael’s employees Harsco and Tata Steel stepped in to pay for his £2,000 flight home and he was airlifted back to Wales on Monday night and is now being treated at the University Hospital in Wales in Cardiff.

His father John Lonergan, 50, wishes to thank the Maesteg community for their support, particularly Ogmore MP Huw Irranca-Davies.

“If it wasn’t for Huw we don’t know if Michael would be home now,” he said.

“We are also grateful to Harsco and Tata Steel for paying for his flight home.”

Mr Lonergan, of Pit Street, Garth, says he is relieved that Michael is home but it is also upsetting to see his once fit and active son, a keen boxer and a former soldier who served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, confined to a hospital bed.

“It was very difficult seeing him for the first time because we didn’t know what to expect,” said Mr Lonergan.

“We could only imagine him two weeks ago before this happened as a different person.”

But Mr Lonergan says his son is already starting to make progress and has remained positive despite his ordeal.

“He’s got feeling back in his arms and his right leg, but it’s going to be a long recovery,” he said.

“He realises he has had an horrific life-changing accident.

“ We don’t know what the future holds for him.”

On top of having to cope with the accident, Michael and his family were caused additional stress and worry when his insurance company refused to pay for his treatment at the private Ozel Gazi Hospital in Izmi, which left him with a bill of £23,000.

Mr Lonergan says he was astounded the insurance company have shown no compassion towards his son.

“It’s difficult to comprehend because diving into the sea is such a simple thing to do,” he said.

“You could say there is a risk involved every time you cross the road.”

The Lonergan family are seeking legal advice in relation to challenging the insurance company’s decision.